Shopee Logo

Shopee was founded in 2015 as a subsidiary of Sea Group, a Singapore-based company formerly known as Garena. The founder, Forrest Li, identified the potential in Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing e-commerce market. Initially launched as a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) mobile application, the platform capitalized on the increasing smartphone usage in the region, focusing first on Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

2015 marked a year of rapid development and expansion for the company. Its user-friendly interface and emphasis on mobile users quickly gained popularity, and significant marketing investments were made to attract users and sellers to the marketplace.

In 2016, the platform integrated business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions, allowing well-known brands and official retailers to sell directly to consumers. This shift was accompanied by the launch of Shopee Mall, a dedicated section featuring verified brands and official stores.

Substantial growth followed in 2017, highlighted by the first major sale event on September 9, known as 9.9. This event, now an annual tradition, significantly boosted the user base and sales volumes. The company also expanded its logistics network that year to improve service quality and delivery times.

In 2018, the company made a significant move by entering the Brazilian market, marking its first venture outside Asia. This expansion was a major milestone in its global growth strategy. Despite the challenges of entering a new region with different languages and cultures, the platform successfully adapted its approach to thrive in Latin America.

2019 was a year of innovation, with several new features introduced, including a live-streaming platform where sellers can showcase their products and interact with customers in real time. A social feature allowing users to share reviews and recent purchases was also launched.

Despite global challenges in 2020, the platform continued to grow, enhancing technological solutions and solidifying its presence in existing markets. A section dedicated to luxury brands and high-end products was also introduced.

In 2021, expansion into Europe marked the company’s entrance into the markets of Poland, France, and Spain as part of its global growth strategy. The introduction of an in-house payment system significantly enhanced the fintech offerings.

The company continued to refine operations in 2022, focusing on improving customer experience, expanding its product range, and strengthening brand partnerships. The loyalty program received additional attention, leading to increased average order values and purchase frequency. Throughout its history, significant investments in technology, particularly in machine learning and artificial intelligence, have enhanced product recommendations, combated counterfeit goods, and streamlined logistics.

By 2023, the platform had established itself as one of Southeast Asia’s leading e-commerce entities, continuing to make strides in the global market. The track record of rapid growth and the ability to adapt to changing consumer needs and market conditions have been key to its success.